Page 5 - AsianOil Week 07 2023

AsianOil COMMENTARY AsianOil

Iranian President
Ebrahim Raisi.

it generated considerable criticism among many to the government statement. It also stated that
Iranians, especially along the lines that Iran Xi pledged to “work together on issues involving
should stay wary of allowing Beijing to “colonise” each other’s core interests,” but gave no details.
parts of Iran’s economy and interests. So far, the Ahead of his visit, Raisi wrote an editorial in
agreement appears to have been treated as more China’s state-controlled People’s Daily in which
like a roadmap to potential deals worth billions he said both countries believed that unilateral-
of dollars rather than as a document guarantee- ism and “violent” measures such as the imposi-
ing market openings for China. One element tion of “unjust” sanctions were the main causes
of it would see China invest big sums in Iran’s of crises and insecurity in the world. In the edito-
petroleum sector in return for oil, oil product rial, Raisi described China as an “old friend”, and
and petrochemical supplies.g said Iran’s efforts to strengthen relations would
The Associated Press reported that the official be unaffected by regional and international
Chinese account of Xi’s meeting with Raisi gave situations.
no indication of whether they discussed Russia’s Xi Jinping also on February 14 called for the
attack on Ukraine, while Xi expressed support early and proper resolution of the Iran nuclear
for Raisi’s government in language Beijing uses issue, while expressing his support and solidar-
to criticise Washington’s domination of global ity for the Islamic Republic in safeguarding its
affairs. China and Iran portray themselves, rights and interests, according to Chinese state
alongside Moscow, as counterweights to Amer- media. China would continue to “participate
ican power. constructively” in talks to resume negotiations
“China supports Iran in safeguarding on implementing the 2015 nuclear deal, or
national sovereignty” and “resisting unilateral- JCPOA, between Iran and major powers, Xi told
ism and bullying,” Xi said in a statement carried Raisi during their talks.
by Chinese state TV on its website. The JCPOA was agreed to limit Iran’s ura-
Xi added that Beijing “opposes external forces nium enrichment programme to civilian pur-
interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and under- poses in return for a lifting of international
mining Iran’s security and stability,” according sanctions. ™

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